Energy reduction

ABSTRACT

A power reduction aggregation system for controlling and measuring power usage at a plurality of individual user locations which includes a plurality of power reduction controllers and a power reduction module. Each power reduction controller is disposed at one of the plurality of individual user locations and includes a controller module and an energy consumption module. The controller module is configured to selectively control power to a plurality of loads associated with each of the individual user locations. The energy consumption module is coupled to the controller module and is configured to determine energy reduction indicia associated with at least one of the plurality of loads. The power reduction module is communicatively coupled to each of the plurality of power reduction controllers and is configured to determine an aggregate energy reduction estimate by combining the energy reduction indicia determined by the plurality of power reduction controllers.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/328,714 filed on Dec. 4, 2008.

BACKGROUND

In electric power grids, demand response refers to the management ofdemand from customers in response to supply conditions, for example,having electricity customers reduce their consumption at critical timesor in response to market prices. In demand response, customers may cutor reduce loads, called load shedding, in response to a request by autility or market price conditions. An alternative to load shedding ison-site generation of electricity to supplement the power grid. Underconditions of tight electricity supply, demand response cansignificantly improve system reliability, reduce the peak price and, ingeneral, reduce electricity price volatility. Since electrical systemsare generally sized to correspond to peak demand (plus margin for errorand unforeseen events), lowering peak demand reduces overall plant andcapital cost requirements. Depending on the configuration of powergeneration facilities, demand response may also be used to increasedemand (load) at times of high production and low demand. As theproportion of intermittent power sources such as wind power in a systemgrows, demand response may become increasingly important to effectivemanagement of the electric grid.

Demand response is generally used to refer to mechanisms used toencourage consumers to reduce demand, thereby reducing the peak demandfor electricity. Energy consumers usually need some incentive to respondto a request from a demand response provider. For example, the utilitymight create a tariff-based incentive by passing along short-termincreases in the price of electricity. The utility could imposemandatory cutbacks during a heat wave for selected high-volume users,who are compensated for their participation. High volume energy usersmay receive a rebate or other incentive based on firm commitments toreduce power during periods of high demand

SUMMARY

An exemplary power reduction system in accordance with the disclosureincludes a power reduction system including: an input configured toreceive power from a power source; outputs configured to provide outputpower to loads; switches coupled to the input and the outputs; a networkinterface configured to receive a power status message from a network; acontroller coupled to the switches and the network interface andconfigured to control the switches to selectively couple/decouple theinput to/from the outputs in response to the power status message; andan energy consumption module coupled to the input and configured todetermine an energy consumption measure of energy provided by the inputto the outputs that are coupled to the input, where the networkinterface is coupled to the energy consumption module and is furtherconfigured to transmit the energy consumption measure toward a remotedevice connected to the network.

Embodiments of such power reduction systems may include one or more ofthe following features. The energy consumption measure is a reducedenergy consumption measure based on (1) energy provided by the inputduring a time period during which the controller decouples the inputfrom at least one of the outputs and (2) a baseline energy consumptionestimate for the time period. The energy consumption module isconfigured to determine the baseline energy consumption estimate basedon energy provided by the input during a time period during which noneof the outputs are decoupled from the input by the controller, and storethe baseline energy consumption estimate in memory. The energyconsumption module is configured to determine an average baselineconsumption estimate for multiple time periods based on the storedbaseline energy consumption estimate, where the average baselineconsumption estimate time periods comprise at least one of hours, days,weeks, months and years. The received power status message may includeinformation indicating to cancel an action induced by a previouslyreceived power status message. The power status message may includeinformation regarding at least one of instructions regarding a type ofdevice to decouple from the input, instructions regarding a specificoutput to decouple from the input, instructions regarding an amount ofenergy reduction to induce, or a level of compensation that will bereceived for a level of energy reduction induced. Systems may include abackup power source, where the controller is further configured tocouple the backup power source to at least one of the outputs. Thebackup power source may include an uninterruptible power supply. Theenergy consumption measure is a reduced energy consumption measure basedon (1) energy provided to the outputs during a time period during whichthe controller decouples the input from at least one of the outputs and(2) baseline energy consumption estimates for the time period, and wherethe energy consumption module is further configured to determinebaseline energy consumption estimates based on energy provided to eachof the outputs. The energy consumption measure comprises a first energyconsumption measure based on energy provided by the input while none ofthe outputs are de-coupled from the input by the controller in responseto any power status message and a second energy consumption measurebased on energy provided by the input while at least one of the outputsis decoupled from the input by the controller in response to the powerstatus message.

An exemplary method of power reduction includes: receiving power from apower source; providing power received from the power source to outputscoupled to loads; receiving a power status message from a network;controlling switches coupled to the power source and the outputs toselectively couple/decouple the power source to/from the outputs inresponse to receiving the power status message; determining an energyconsumption measure of energy provided by the input to the outputs thatare coupled to the input, and transmitting the energy consumptionmeasure toward a remote device connected to the network.

Embodiments of such a method may include one or more of the followingfeatures. The energy consumption measure is a reduced energy consumptionmeasure based on (1) energy provided by the power source during a timeperiod during which the power source is selectively decoupled from atleast one of the outputs in response to the power status message and (2)a baseline energy consumption estimate for the time period. Controllingat least one of the switches to couple at least one of the outputs to abackup power source. The backup power source may include anuninterruptible power supply. Determining the baseline energyconsumption measure based on the energy consumed by the loads during atime period while none of the outputs is controlled to be decoupled fromthe power source in response to the power status message, and storingthe baseline energy consumption measure in memory. The method includestransmitting the reduced energy consumption measure to the networktoward a remote device. The method may include controlling at least oneof the switches to couple at least one of the outputs to a backup powersource. The backup power source is an uninterruptible power supply. Theenergy consumption measure is a reduced energy consumption measure basedon (1) energy provided to the outputs during a time period during whichthe power source is selectively decoupled from at least one of theoutputs and (2) baseline energy consumption estimates for the timeperiod, the method further comprising determining the baseline energyconsumption estimates based on energy provided to each of the outputs.The energy consumption measure is a first energy consumption measurebased on energy provided by the input while none of the outputs arede-coupled from the input by the controller in response to any powerstatus message and a second energy consumption measure based on energyprovided by the input while at least one of the outputs is decoupledfrom the input by the controller in response to the power statusmessage.

An exemplary embodiment includes a computer readable medium havingstored thereon sequences of instruction including instructions that willcause a processor to: receive a power status message from a network;control switches, the switches being coupled to a power source andoutputs, where the outputs are coupled to loads, to selectivelycouple/decouple the power source to/from the output in response toreceiving the power status message; determine an energy consumptionmeasure of energy provided by the input to the outputs that are coupledto the input, and cause a transmitter to transmit the energy consumptionmeasure toward a remote device connected to the network.

Embodiments of the disclosure may provide one or more of the followingcapabilities. Multiple retail electric energy users (from singlehomeowner to a multi-family residence, or a small office building) mayparticipate in selling saved power back to the utility during shortages.Energy consumption can be reduced voluntarily and/or automatically andwith little inconvenience. Energy savings by small individual users canbe measured, aggregated, verified, controlled and rewarded. The peakpower demand of a power grid may be reduced, e.g., avoiding powerfailures such as brownouts, blackouts, etc. Further areas ofapplicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from thedetailed description provided hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of a power reduction aggregationsystem for reducing peak power supplied to customers connected to apower grid.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a power reduction systemfor selectively controlling power supplied to loads connected to thepower grid of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of an embodiment of the power reduction systemshown in

FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a central server of thepower reduction aggregation system for reducing peak power shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a process performed by a powerreduction system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a process performed by acentral server of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of another embodiment of a process performed bythe power reduction system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of another embodiment of a process performed bythe central server of FIG. 4.

In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have thesame reference label. Further, various components of the same type maybe distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a secondlabel that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the firstreference label is used in the specification, the description isapplicable to any one of the similar components having the same firstreference label irrespective of the second reference label.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure provided herein describes, among other things,techniques, embodied in methods and/or apparatus, for controlling powersupplied to customers connected to a power grid in order to manage thepeak power demand. For example, a central server is provided foraggregating the energy savings of a large number of small electricenergy users in such a way to meet the peak power reduction needs ofelectric utilities, while providing incentives and payments to the smallenergy users in proportion to the amount of energy saved. The centralserver transmits power status messages via a communication network tocustomers connected to a power grid in order to reduce the demand on thepower grid. The power status messages contain instructions directingpower reduction systems associated with the customers to selectivelycontrol power supplied by the power grid to loads connected to the powerreduction system.

Power status messages are transmitted to programmable power reductiondevices connected to the power grid to selectively control the powersupplied to various customer loads. When a power reduction devicereceives a power status message indicating that power reduction isrequested, the power reduction device determines from which loads to cutor reduce power. The programmable power reduction device can beprogrammed to cut power to different loads based on various priorities.The power reduction device communicates information indicative of theamount of energy reduction or the amount of energy consumed back to thecentral server for aggregation purposes. Further, the power reductiondevice can also couple the loads to a backup power supply, such as anuninterruptible power supply. Other embodiments, e.g., of both thecentral server and the power reduction device, are within the scope ofthe description and the claims.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of a power reduction use system 10for reducing peak power supplied to customers connected to a power grid16. The system 10 includes a power reduction aggregation systemincluding a central server 12 and multiple power reduction systems 20-1to 20-n. Multiple customer homes and/or small businesses 18-1 to 18-neach include a respective power reduction system 20-1 to 20-n. Thesystem 10 further includes a power utility 14 that provides power to thepower grid 16. The homes 18 are tied to the power grid 16. The powerreduction systems 20 are coupled to the power grid 16 and to the loadsof the homes 18 with which each power reduction system 20 is associated.

The power reduction systems 20 are communicatively connected to thecentral server 12 via a network 13. The network 13 can include one ormore wired or wireless networks. Wired networks can include telephonenetworks (e.g., plain old telephone system or POTS), cable networks,computer networks such as LAN, MAN, WAN, power line communications, etc.Wireless networks can include cellular telephone networks, WiFinetworks, satellite networks, etc. The network 13 provides forbi-directional communication between the power reduction systems 20 andthe central server 12. The central server 12 transmits power statusmessages to the power reduction systems 20 and receives informationregarding energy reduction and/or energy consumption from the powerreduction systems 20 via the network 13.

In the system 10, the central server 12 is communicatively connected,here, through the network 13 to the power utility 14 that supplies powerto the power grid 16. In other embodiments, the central server could beco-located at the power utility. The central server 12 can receive powerstatus instructions and/or information indicative of the status of thepower grid 16 from the power utility 14 via the network 13.

The power utility 14 can contact the central server 12 to request energyreduction (e.g., of a specified and/or pre-arranged amount). Forexample, the power utility 14 may do so in response to determining thatit cannot meet the power demand without interruption or bringingexpensive standby capacity online, e.g., during a period of peak poweruse. The central server 12 then acts to reduce the energy use ofparticipating individual users, by communicating power status messagesto power reduction systems 20 associated with the individual users, andadds up the aggregate total energy savings. This aggregate energysavings is communicated to the utility and payment can be made to theoperator of the central server 12. In turn, the operator will distributea portion of this payment to participating individual users, preferablyin amounts proportional to the actual energy saved. Changes in the powergrid status that may result in power status messages being transmittedcan include the power demand level nearing the capacity or a thresholdlevel related to the capacity of the power grid 16. In other cases someof the capacity of the power grid 16 may be temporarily lowered becauseof a need to divert power to other power grids or other sections of thepower grid 16.

Power status messages are used by the central server 12 to affect theway the individual power reduction systems 20 supply power to thevarious loads coupled to them. The central server 12 can transmit powerstatus messages to individual power reduction systems 20 or to all thepower reduction systems 20. The central server 12 can determine theindividual power reduction systems that are to receive power statusmessages based on current usage levels associated with the individualsystems 20, and/or based on past usage levels.

Power status messages can include various instructions for controllingthe operations of the power reduction systems 20. For example powerstatus messages can include instructions requesting a power reduction,cancelling a previous power reduction, requesting a percentage reductionin power consumption, or requesting an absolute power reduction amount.Further, power status message can include information regarding a levelof compensation, e.g., a price rate or savings amount, that is beingoffered for reduction in power of a certain level. A power statusmessage can include instructions regarding what to decouple. Theinstructions could include, for example, instructions regarding whichloads or at least which type of loads (e.g., air conditioner, heater,television, computer, games, stereo, etc.) to decouple. A power statusmessage can refer to a previous power status message and affect, invarious ways, the previous power status message instructions. Forexample a power status message could contain instructions for cancellingor modifying the previous instructions. The instructions contained in apower status message could be optional and it could be left up to thepower controller 27, based on how it is configured, to determine whetherpower reduction is desired. The instructions could also be mandatory andthe power reduction systems would not have the ability to choose whetheror not to follow the instructions. Some power status messages couldcontain requests for energy usage estimates, current and/or past, orenergy reduction estimates (e.g., the amount that energy usage wasreduced below a baseline level in response to being instructed to reducepower).

Referring to FIG. 2, energy reduction system 20 includes a powerreduction controller 24, and a main electric panel 26. The system 20 maybe fully or partially within the house 18, or completely external to thehouse 18. The power reduction controller 24 is connected via a line 30to an electric panel 26. The line 30 may contain multiple electricallines and may be contained within a single mechanical conduit. The mainelectric panel 26 is connected via one or more lines 32 to appropriateAC loads within the house 18 and via appropriate lines 33 to the powergrid 16. The power reduction system 20 includes an optional backup powersource 22. The optional backup power source 22 could be anuninterruptible power supply (UPS), a generator or other alternativeenergy source such as solar power or wind power, for example. Theoptional backup power source 22 is coupled to a switching module 31 ofthe power reduction controller 24. The module 31 can connect the source22 to the panel 26 such that the backup power source 22 can supply powerto one or more of the AC loads.

The power reduction controller 24 also includes one or more processors21 coupled to memory 23. The processor 21 can include one or moreapplication specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signalprocessors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs),programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays(FPGAs), controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, electronicdevices, other electronic units, or a combination thereof.

The processor 21 is configured to store data received by one or moreinterfaces and process and store the data on the memory 23. The memory23 can be implemented within the processor 21 or external to theprocessor 21. The memory may be long term, short term, volatile,nonvolatile, or another type of memory and is not limited to anyparticular type of memory or number of devices.

The processor 21 is also configured to communicate/receive data and/orinstructions to/from a network interface 25, send data/instructions to acontroller module 27, and receive data from an energy consumption module29, and the switching module 31. The network interface 25 is configuredto transmit and receive data to/from the network 13.

The switching module 31 contains switches as discussed below withreference to FIG. 3. Outputs of the switches are coupled to loadsconnected to the electric panel 26. The switches are configured toselectively couple the outputs to an input power source, e.g., the powergrid 16 or, if present, the backup power supply 22.

The controller module 27 is coupled to the switching module 31. Thecontroller module 27 is configured to control the switches in theswitching module 31 to selectively couple/decouple power to/from theloads. The controller module 27 can decouple selected loads from thepower grid line 33 input in response to receiving a power statusmessage. The controller 27 can selectively couple previously decoupledloads to receive power as conditions change (e.g., in response toreceiving a power status message cancelling or modifying a previouslyreceived power status message). Details of other functions performed bythe controller module 27 are discussed below in reference to FIGS. 5 and7.

The energy consumption module 29 is coupled to the switching module 31and the controller module 27. The energy consumption module can becoupled to one or more inputs of the switching module 31 and/or one ormore of the outputs that are coupled to the loads. The energyconsumption module 29 is configured to determine a measure of the energyconsumed by the loads. The energy consumption module 29 can determine ameasure of the energy consumed separately by each of the loads, e.g.,when coupled to the outputs of the switches and/or determine a totalenergy provided by the input power source(s), e.g., when coupled to theinputs from the power grid. Using information obtained from thecontroller module 27 about which switches are connected to the powergrid and, optionally, which switches are connected to the backup powersupply, the energy consumption module 29 can determine which outputs toinclude in the energy consumption calculations.

The energy consumption module 29 can determine a baseline energy measureand, in response to the power reduction controller 24 receiving a powerstatus message from the central server 12, determine a measure of thereduced energy consumption. The reduced energy consumption measure isthe difference between (1) the energy provided to the loads by the inputduring a time period during which the controller module 27 decouples theinput form at least one of the outputs, and (2) the baseline energyconsumption measure previously determined. The baseline energyconsumption measure is an indicator of an expected energy consumption.The baseline energy consumption measure is preferably based on anhistorical average of multiple past energy consumption measures forperiods of time when no loads are controllably decoupled by the powerreduction controller 24.

Preferably, the baseline energy consumption measures are determined foreach of the loads independently. In this manner, the baseline energyconsumption measures can reflect changes in energy usage for loads whichare not correlated to each other. For example, the baseline energyconsumption measures of some loads may depend on outside temperaturesand/or humidity, e.g., air conditioners and heaters, while others donot. The baseline energy consumption measure for heaters and airconditioners may then be stored as a function of outside temperature andhumidity in addition to time of day, week, year, etc.

As an alternative to the energy consumption module 29 calculating thebaseline energy consumption measures and the reduced energy consumptionmeasure, the energy consumption module 29 can determine energyconsumption measures of energy supplied to the loads in the same way forall time periods and communicate these measures to the processor 21. Theprocessor 21 then communicates these measures over the network 13, viathe network interface 25, to the central server 12. In this way, theenergy consumption measures determined by the energy consumption module29 are determined using the same method for all time periods, regardlessof whether or not loads are controllably decoupled. The central server12 periodically transmits a power status message requesting an energyconsumption measure to a power reduction system 20. When an energyconsumption measure is requested by the central server 12 during aperiod of normal power grid conditions, a period when power reductioninstructions are not in effect, the central server 12 stores thereceived energy consumption measure as a baseline energy consumptionmeasure. When an energy consumption measure is requested by the centralserver 12 during a period when power reduction instructions are ineffect, the central server uses the received energy consumption measureto determine the reduced energy consumption measure by subtracting thereceived energy consumption measure from a previously stored baselineconsumption measure corresponding to a similar time period (e.g., timeof day, day of the week, day of the year, etc.).

Referring to FIG. 3, the switching module 31 of the power reductioncontroller 24 comprises load switches 42-45. The electric panel 26includes lines 50 and 52 connected to the power grid 16, lines 62-65connected to AC loads, and circuit breakers 72-75. Outputs of theswitches 42-45 include fuses 48 and are connected to each of the lines62-65 connected to AC loads. The controller module 27 and energyconsumption module 29 are shown as a single block, but are referred toseparately. While only four switches 42-45 and corresponding fuses 48and load lines 62-65 are shown, other quantities may be used.

Each of the switches 42-45 can be placed in any of three states,connecting its output load line 62-65 to one of the power lines 50, 52,connecting its output load line 62-65 to the optional backup powersupply 22 via line 82 or line 84, or connecting its output load line62-65 to a disconnect position/terminal 92-95 (e.g., an open circuit,not connected to the backup power supply 22 or either of the power lines50, 52).

The controller module 27 is coupled to the switches 42-45 andselectively couples and decouples the output load lines 62-65, connectedto the AC loads, to/from the power grid 16, the open circuit disconnectterminals 92-95, and the backup power supply 22 via lines 82 and 84. Theenergy consumption module 29 is coupled to the output power lines 62-65and monitors the power provided to the AC loads. Using switch stateinformation obtained from the controller module 27, the energyconsumption module 29 can determine whether the output power is beingsupplied by the power grid or by the backup power supply 22. Using thisinformation, the energy consumption module can determine whether or notto include the measured output energies in a measure of the total energybeing provided by the power grid.

As an alternative to being coupled to the output lines 62-65, the energyconsumption module 29 can be coupled to the power lines 50 and 52, or tothe input lines of the switches 42-45. The energy measurementsdetermined by the energy consumption module in these cases would be ameasure of the energy received from the power grid. Measuring the energyusage at the input lines to the switches 42-45 allows for measurement ofthe energy usage of each of the loads. Computation of the energyprovided by the power grid is simplified in these cases because thecomputations are not affected by the states of the switches 42-45.

The controller module 27 is configured to selectively couple anddecouple certain loads from the switches 42-45 in accordance with one ormore methods including, but not limited to, priorities of associatedloads, pre-determined or programmable load management settings, andprogrammable settings as to which loads can be decoupled when they aredrawing power (e.g., a user may not want a microwave decoupled when itis drawing power). The controller module 27 can be re-configured by thecustomer to decouple loads based on several different criteria. Thecontroller module 27 can be configured, for example, to decouple certaintypes of loads before other types of loads. For example, an airconditioner circuit may be decoupled before a refrigerator circuit isdecoupled.

Criteria that can be used by the controller module 27 in determiningwhich loads to couple and/or decouple include: the amount of power beingdrawn by a load compared to amounts being drawn by other loads, theamount of power being drawn by a load in comparison to the requestedpower reduction amount (e.g., to decouple the highest drawing loadsfirst in order to decouple the fewest loads to meet the requestedamount), a user defined priority of importance or criticality of a loadcompared to other loads drawing power, and/or to provide minimum on-timeduty cycles to the loads. The controller module 27 could request userinput from a user, via a user interface not shown in FIG. 3, to allowthe user to determine which loads to decouple. Other criteria can alsobe used in determining which loads to decouple and/or couple to thepower grid 16.

The controller module 27 can be configured to decouple loads based onpriorities that depend on the time of day, the day of the week, the timeof the year, etc. For example, the controller module 27 for home use isconfigured not to decouple certain loads during hours when it isexpected that people are home and to decouple certain loads during hourswhen it is expected that people are not home. The controller module 27is configured to decouple certain loads on weekdays, but not onweekends, and vice-versa. The controller module 27 is also preferablyconfigured to decouple different loads at different times during theyear.

The controller module 27 is configured to decouple loads in order tomeet a requested power reduction, e.g., a percentage, threshold or anabsolute power reduction threshold (e.g., so many kw-hours). Theprioritizations discussed above are utilized to choose the order inwhich the loads are decoupled to try to meet the requested powerreduction threshold.

The controller module 27 can be configured to decouple and the recoupleloads to the power input such that the loads are run at a reduced dutycycle. For example, a refrigerator circuit could be decoupled for anamount of time and then recoupled for an amount of time. Further, thecontroller module 27 can control loads not just to be on/off, but to bepart-on or part-off. The reduced duty cycle on/off periods or part-onpart-off levels can be varied based on various factors, e.g., time ofday, temperature (e.g., for an air conditioner or other climate controlload), etc. The controller module 27 can also indirectly couple ordecouple loads by adjusting control settings, e.g., thermostat settings,lighting levels, etc.

The controller module 27 can be configured to decouple certain loadsonly if one or more shedding criteria is (are) met, e.g., a thresholdamount of savings or payments being offered, e.g., a reduction in costper kw-hour, or a certain price rate is offered. Preferably, the powerstatus message received from the central server 12 includes a lump sumsavings amount or a price rate per kw-hour that is being offered toreduce power consumption by a threshold amount. The savings amount orprice rate could depend on a percentage or absolute amount of powerreduction that is induced in response to the offer. For example, a powerutility may offer a reduction of 10% in rates charged per kw-hour for apower reduction between 1 kw to 5 kw, a reduction of 15% for a powerreduction between 5 kw and 10 kw, etc. The controller module 27 isconfigured to determine which loads to shed and by how much based onprioritizations, shedding criteria, incentives offered/available, howmany loads are drawing power, which loads are drawing power (e.g., highpriority loads, low priority loads, etc.), the time of day, the day ofthe week, the season, etc. Again, the prioritization methods discussedabove can be utilized in choosing the order in which the loads aredecoupled in order to meet the threshold levels.

Referring to FIG. 4, the central server 12 includes a processor 102coupled to memory 104. The processor 102 can include one or moreapplication specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signalprocessors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs),programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays(FPGAs), controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, electronicdevices, other electronic units, or a combination thereof.

The processor 102 is configured to process and/or store data receivedfrom a network interface 106 on the memory 104. The memory 104 can beimplemented within the processor 102 or external to the processor 102.The memory 104 may be long term, short term, volatile, nonvolatile, oranother memory and is not limited to any particular type of memory ornumber of devices.

The processor 102 is also configured to communicate data and/orinstructions to and/or from the network interface 106, a power gridstatus module 108, a power savings computation module 110, and a powerreduction module 112.

The network interface 106 is configured to transmit and receive dataover the network 13. The network interface 106 can transmit the powerstatus messages to the power reduction systems 20. In addition, thenetwork interface 106 can transmit and receive information to and fromthe power utility 14. For example, the network interface 106 can receiveindications from the power utility 14 that power reductions are to beinitiated or can be canceled. Further, the network interface 106 cantransmit power reduction estimates toward the power utility 14 over thenetwork 13.

The power grid status module 108 is coupled to the network interface 106and is configured to transmit power status messages to the network 13,via the network interface 106, toward the power reduction controllers24. The determination of when to transmit a power status message can bemade independently by the power grid status module 108, or the powergrid status module 108 can receive direction from an external source,e.g., the power utility 14, via the network interface 106. The powerstatus messages can request a power reduction, request cancelling aprevious power reduction, request a percentage reduction in powerconsumption, or request an absolute power reduction amount. The powerstatus message can include information regarding one or more incentives,e.g., a level(s) of compensation such as price rates or savings amounts,that are being offered for reductions in power of corresponding amounts.The requested amounts can be the same for all the power reductioncontrollers 24 on the grid, or the requested amounts can be determinedbased on criteria such as the current energy consumption level,historical baseline energy consumption levels, etc.

Some of the functions of the power controller module 27 discussed abovecan be included in the power grid status module 108, or another module,of the central server 12. For example, the power grid status module 108could be configured to transmit a power status message includinginstructions regarding what to decouple. The instructions could include,for example, instructions regarding which loads or at least which typeof loads (e.g., air conditioner, heater, television, computer, games,stereo, etc.) to decouple, instructions regarding an amount (percentageor absolute amount) of power to decouple, etc.

The power savings compensation module 110 is configured to determine anaggregate compensation earned for providing an aggregate energyreduction induced by the power reduction devices in response toreceiving the power status messages transmitted by the power grid statusmodule 108. In addition, the power savings compensation module 108 isconfigured to determine individual portions of the aggregatecompensation associated with each of the power reduction devices thatreceived the power status messages. The power savings compensationmodule 110 receives, from the power reduction module 112, individualpower reduction estimates corresponding to the power reductioncontrollers 24. The individual power reduction estimates are combined bythe power reduction module 112, to determine an aggregate powerreduction estimate. The power savings compensation module 110 receivesthe aggregate power reduction estimate from the power reduction module.As discussed above, the individual energy reduction estimates can bedetermined by the individual energy consumption modules 29 of theindividual power reduction controllers 24, or by the power reductionmodule 112 of the central server 12. In cases where the individualenergy reduction estimates are determined by the power reductioncontrollers 24, the power savings compensation module 110 preferablyconfirms and/or verifies the energy reduction estimates, e.g., usingutility company records, to prevent fraudulent energy reduction claims.

Based on what the power utility agreed to pay for power reduction, thepower savings compensation module 110 determines the amount of aggregatecompensation earned for the aggregate power reduction estimate. Thepower savings compensation module 110 can then determine the individualportions of the aggregate compensation associated with each of the powerreduction devices. The central server 12 subtracts a portion of theaggregate compensation before determining the individual portions inorder to cover expenses and in some cases make a profit. The powersavings compensation module 110 can then determine the individualportions of the reduced aggregate compensation proportionally, or someother agreed upon compensation structure, (e.g., after subtracting theexpenses and/or profit) based on the ratios of the individual powerreduction estimates to the aggregate power reduction estimate.

The individual compensation portions can also be affected by the amountof power reductions that were induced by the individual power reductiondevices. For example, a higher price rate could have been offered forhigher levels of power reduction, as discussed above. In theses cases,the power savings module 110 can include the various price rates indetermining the individual compensation portions. Other methods ofdetermining the individual compensation portions are within scope of themethods describe herein.

The power reduction module 112 is coupled to the network interface 106and the power savings module 110. The power reduction module 112 isconfigured to receive indicia, via the network interface 106, of areduction in energy consumption of loads associated with each of thepower reduction devices that induced power reductions in response to apower status message. The power reduction module 112 estimates theaggregate power reduction by adding the individual energy reductionestimates. The individual and aggregate energy reduction estimates areprovided to the power savings compensation module 110, e.g., by storingthem in the memory 104, in order for the power savings compensationmodule 110 to perform its functions as discussed above.

The indicia of the reduction in energy received by the power reductionmodule 112 can be individual estimated energy reductions that werecomputed by the individual energy consumption modules 29 of theindividual power reduction controllers 24. The power reduction module112 computes the aggregate energy reduction estimate by combining theseindividual energy reduction estimates.

Instead of the energy reduction indicia being energy reduction estimatescomputed by the energy consumption modules 29, the indicia of thereduction in energy received by the power reduction module 112 can beperiodic energy consumption measures. The power reduction module 112determines the energy reduction estimate based on the energy consumptionmeasures communicated periodically from the power reduction devices tothe central server 12. The power reduction module 112 can use methodssimilar to those discussed above, e.g., computing baseline energyconsumption measures, to calculate the reduction in energy estimates.The power reduction module 112 keeps track of when each power reductiondevice is in a normal state for calculating the baseline measures, andwhen each power reduction device is in a reducing state for calculatingthe energy reduction estimates. More details of determining the powerreduction estimates are discussed below in reference to FIGS. 5-8.

Referring to FIG. 5 with reference to FIGS. 1-3, a process 210 performedby the power reduction system 20 of FIG. 2 includes the stages shown.The process 210 is performed by the various modules of the powerreduction controller 24. In this example, the energy consumption module29 is configured to determine the reduced energy consumption measuresincluding calculating baseline energy consumption measures. At stage212, an input of the switching module 31 receives power from a powersource, e.g., the power grid 33.

At stage 214, the power received from the power source at stage 212 isprovided to outputs of the switching module 31 which are connected tothe various loads of the house 18 associated with the power reductioncontroller 24 performing the process 210. Depending on whether thecurrent state of the power grid 33 is normal or abnormal (e.g., a powerreduction state), some or all of the switches 42-45 are in a state thatcouples the outputs and corresponding loads to the power grid 16.

At stage 215, the energy consumption module 29 determines baselineenergy consumption estimates for the outputs/loads. The baselineconsumption estimates are determined for each of the output lines 62-65attached to the AC loads. The baseline energy consumption estimates canbe made periodically, e.g., every 15 minutes, every half-hour, everyhour (or other periodic or aperiodic intervals), in order to develop arobust baseline usage database for each of the loads. The baselineenergy consumption estimates can be stored in memory andcross-referenced to the time of day, week, year. The baseline energyconsumption estimates can also be cross-referenced to other parameters,such as, for example, outside temperature and humidity, e.g., for loadsincluding air conditioners, heaters, fans, or other devices affected bythe weather.

At stage 216, the network interface 25 receives a power status messagevia the network 13 from the central server 12. The power status messagecontains a request/instruction regarding power consumption, to reducepower consumption and/or cancel or modify a previous power reductionrequest/instruction.

Based on the information contained in the power status message receivedat the stage 216, the power controller 27 determines, at stage 218,whether or not to change which loads are connected to receive power. Thedetermination made at stage 218 depends on the power reduction requestcontained in the power status message received at stage 216. Theinstructions in a power status message can include required actions oroptional actions. If the power reduction request is unchanged from aprevious message, the power controller 27 determines that no change isnecessary. If the power status message contains a new power reductionrequest, the power controller determines that changes should be made ifthe requested power reduction criteria is not currently being met. Forexample, if the power reduction request is for a percentage reduction ofthe baseline power consumption, the power controller 27 compares acurrent power reduction measure to the requested reduction level inmaking the determination. If the power reduction request is fordecoupling specific loads, such as air conditioners, televisions, etc.,the power controller 27 determines that changes are required if therequested loads are not decoupled.

The determination at stage 218 could utilize priority and sheddingcriteria or rules, pre-determined or programmable load managementsettings, and/or programmable settings as to which loads can bedecoupled when they are drawing power. Priority criteria could include ahierarchical list of loads in order of importance. If any loads below athreshold level of importance are drawing power, the power controllerdetermines that changes are desired. Shedding criteria considered atstage 218 can include rules as to the time of day, week or year thatcertain loads can be decoupled, rules regarding minimum reimbursementlevels that certain loads will be decoupled, rules regarding the currentpower consumption level, etc.

If it is determined at stage 218 that coupling and decoupling of loadsare not to be enacted, the process 210 continues back to stage 216. If apredetermined amount of time passes with no new power status messagereceived, the process 210 moves from stage 216 to stage 218. In thisway, the process 210 determines if conditions have changed such that atstage 218 it is determined to alter the power connection states of oneor more of the loads.

If it is determined at stage 218 that power reductions are to beenacted, the process 210 continues to stage 220 where the powercontroller 27 controls one or more of the switches 42-45 to selectivelycouple and/or decouple the input power received from the grid 16 to theoutputs of the switching module 31. Determining which loads to couple ordecouple can include criteria such as the amount of power being drawn byone load compared to amounts being drawn by other loads, the amount ofpower being drawn by a load in comparison to the requested powerreduction amount, a user defined shedding criteria such as a priority ofimportance or criticality of a load compared to other loads drawingpower, and providing a minimum on-time duty cycle to certain loads. Thecontroller module 27 could request user input from a user, via a userinterface not shown in FIG. 3, to allow the user to determine whichloads to decouple. Other criteria can also be used in determining whichloads to decouple and/or couple to the power grid 16.

At stage 222, the energy consumption module 29 determines a reducedenergy consumption measure. The reduced energy consumption measure isdetermined based on (1) the energy provided by the input power sourceduring the time period during which one or more of the switches iscontrolled to decouple one or more of the outputs from the input powersource, and (2) a baseline energy consumption estimate for the same timeperiod.

The energy consumption module 29 determines, at stage 215, the baselineenergy consumption estimates based on the energy provided by the inputpower source during time periods during which none of the outputs aredecoupled from the input power by the power controller module 27. Thebaseline power estimates can be calculated for each of the AC loadsconnected to the output lines 62-65. The baseline estimates are storedin the memory 23. The baseline energy consumption estimates aredetermined and stored to memory periodically in order to build abaseline energy consumption database. The baseline energy consumptionmeasures are categorized into time periods including fractions of hoursor hours of the day, days of the week, weeks or months of the year, etc.By storing a large time history of baseline energy consumption measuresthat spans an entire year, the baseline energy measures reflect howenergy usage is affected by climate, seasonal activities, personalbehavior characteristics of the customers, etc. Past baseline energyconsumption measures that are stored in memory can be combined (e.g.,averaged, time averaged, weight averaged, etc.) with newly determinedbaseline measures corresponding to similar time periods. In this way,the baseline energy consumption measures can be closer to a statisticalmean.

At stage 224, the network interface 25 transmits the reduced energyconsumption measure toward a remote device over the network 13. Theremote device is determined by the operator of the power aggregationsystem 10, and in some embodiments, is the central server 12 from whichthe power status message originated. The process 210 then loops back tostage 216. Stages 216 to 224 continue to be performed as discussedabove.

In an alternative to the process 210 of FIG. 5, stage 218 could beomitted. In this alternative, the power status messages received atstage 216 include specific instructions as to which loads to couple ordecouple. For example, a customer could have an agreement with theoperator of the central server 12 that enables control of the powerreduction controller 24 by the central server 12. At stage 220, thepower controller 27 uses the instructions received from the centralserver in controlling the switches 42-45 to couple and/or decouple theinput power received from the grid 16 to the outputs of the switchingmodule 31.

Referring to FIG. 6, with reference to FIGS. 1-4, a process 310performed by the central server 12 of FIG. 3 includes the stages shown.The process 310 is utilized by the central server 12 for controllingpower reduction controllers 24 that perform the process 210 of FIG. 5.In the process 210, the power reduction controllers 24 determine thereduced energy consumption measures, at the stage 222, and communicatethese to the central server 12 at the stage 224.

The process 310 starts at stage 312 where the power grid status module108 determines if a status of the power grid 16 has change such that apower status message should be sent to any of the power reductionsystems 20 connected to the power grid 16. The power grid status module108 can receive, via the network interface 106 and the network 13,indications of power grid status from the power utility 14. The powergrid status module 108 can also be coupled to the equipment of the powergrid and be able to determine on its own the status of the power grid.

Changes in the power grid status that may result in a positivedetermination at the stage 312 include the power demand level nearingthe capacity, or the power demand level nearing a threshold levelrelated to the capacity of the power grid 16. The capacity level used atthe stage 312 can vary. For example, the capacity level of the powergrid 16 could be temporarily lowered because of a need to divert powerto other power grids or other sections of the power grid 16.

Other changes that can result in a positive determination at the stage312 include expected increases in demand such as, for example, expecteddemand peaks and valleys that consistently occur day to day because ofwork schedules, for example. The changes that are identified at thestage 312 can result in increases, decreases or cancellation of previouspower reduction requests. The power grid status module could alsomonitor the voltage and frequency characteristics of the grid and usethese measurements in determining whether the power grid status ischanging.

If, at the stage 312, it is determined that the power grid status haschanged and warrants power reduction (or a previous power reductionstate could be cancelled or modified in some way), the process 310continues to stage 313 where the power grid status module 108 determineswhether power reduction is desired or warranted due to the power gridstatus changes. The determination at stage 313 can include determining acost (e.g., marginal cost or total cost) for acquiring extra powercapacity for an anticipated future increase in power. As power gridcapacity nears a current capacity limit, additional power generationsystems can be brought online. The additional power generation systemscan be generators which can be very expensive to operate compared tonormal power plants such as coal, natural gas, etc.

Another method of increasing power supply, which can also be expensive,is to purchase power from other power utilities and transfer thepurchased power to the power grid. The purchase price can get veryexpensive due to supply and demand factors. As demand increases, e.g.,due to other power grids also demanding more power, the cost increases.If the cost for supplying the anticipated increase is high enough andthe expected savings for reducing power exceeds cost incentives offeredto the customers to reduce power, then a positive determination at stage313 could result, and the process 310 proceeds to stage 314. In someembodiments, where a profit is desired, the power savings should be highenough to exceed the cost of the incentives as well as a profit that isdesired in order for a positive determination to result at stage 313. Ifa negative determination is made at stage 312, the process 310 repeatsstage 312 until the power grid status changes.

If a positive determination results at stage 313, the process 310continues to stage 314 where the power grid status module 108 transmits,via the network interface 106, a power status message to a plurality ofpower reduction devices such as power reduction controllers 24associated with power reduction systems 20. The power status messagestransmitted at the stage 314 can include various instructions forcontrolling the operations of the power reduction systems 20. Forexample power status messages can include instructions requesting apower reduction, cancelling a previous power reduction, requesting apercentage reduction in power consumption, or requesting an absolutepower reduction amount. Further, power status messages transmitted atthe stage 314 can include information regarding a level of compensation,e.g., a price rate or savings amount, that is being offered forreduction in power of a certain levels. A power status message caninclude instructions regarding what to decouple. The instructions couldinclude, for example, instructions regarding which loads or at leastwhich type of loads (e.g., air conditioner, heater, television,computer, games, stereo, etc.) to decouple. A power status message canrefer to a previous power status message and affect, in various ways,the previous power status message instructions. The instructionscontained in a power status message could be optional and it could beleft up to the power controller 27, based on how it is configured, todetermine whether power reduction is desired. The instructions couldalso be mandatory and the power reduction systems would not have theability to choose whether or not to follow the instructions. Some powerstatus messages transmitted at the stage 314 could contain requests forenergy usage estimates, current and/or past, or energy reductionestimates (e.g., the amount that energy usage was reduced below abaseline level in response to being instructed to reduce power).

At the stage 316, the network interface 106 receives indicia of areduction in energy consumption of loads associated with each of themultiple power reduction devices to which power status messages weretransmitted at the stage 314. The energy reduction indicia received atthe stage 316 is a energy reduction estimate determined by the powerreduction systems 20 such as discussed above in reference to the process210 shown in FIG. 5. The energy reduction indicia can be receivedperiodically from the power reduction systems 20 during time periodswhen the power grid 16 is in a power reduction state. The energyreduction indicia can also be received in response to the central servertransmitting a power status message at the stage 314 requesting anenergy reduction estimate. The central server 12 requests an energyreduction estimate when the power grid status changes and/or whenanother power status message is determined to be needed at the stage312.

The indicia received at the stage 316 are forwarded to the powerreduction module 112. At stage 318, the power reduction module 112estimates the aggregate energy reduction by adding the individual energyreduction indicia that were received at the stage 316. The aggregateenergy reduction estimate and the individual energy reduction indiciaare stored to the memory 104 for use by the power savings computationmodule 110 in calculating the aggregate and individual compensationsearned by the energy reduction that was induced by the power reductionsystems 20 in response to receiving the power reduction requests.

At stage 320, the power savings module 110 determines the aggregatecompensation earned for providing the aggregate energy reduction inducedin response to the power reduction devices receiving the power statusmessage that was transmitted at the stage 314. Preferably, agreed uponcontracts between the operator of the central server 12 (in cases wherethe power utility 14 running the power grid 16 is not providing thecentral server 12) and the power utility 14 have been executed such thatpredefined compensation rates have been defined. The compensation ratescan vary as a function of the amount of the power reduction. Forexample, a higher rate of compensation could be afforded for higherreduction amounts. Alternatively, lower compensation rates could beafforded for higher reduction amounts. The power savings module 110determines the aggregate compensation amount by multiplying theaggregate energy reduction by the appropriate compensation rate.

At stage 322, the power savings compensation module determines theindividual portions of the aggregate compensation that were earned bythe individual power reduction devices. The power savings compensationmodule 110 determines the individual portions of the aggregatecompensation associated with each of the power reduction devices towhich power status messages were transmitted at the stage 314. The powersavings compensation module 110 subtracts a portion of the aggregatecompensation before determining the individual portions in order tocover expenses and in some cases make a profit. The power savingscompensation module 110 then determines the individual portions of thereduced aggregate compensation proportionally (after subtracting theexpenses and/or profit) based on the ratios of the individual energyreduction estimates to the aggregate energy reduction estimate.

Upon determining the aggregate and individual compensations at thestages 320 and 322, the process 310 returns to the stage 312 todetermine when to transmit the next power status message when the powergrid status changes.

Referring to FIG. 7, with reference to FIGS. 1-3, a process 260performed by the power reduction system 20 of FIG. 2 includes the stagesshown. The process 260 differs from the process 210 of FIG. 5 in thatthe energy reduction estimates are not determined by the power reductiondevice 24, utilizing the energy consumption module 29, but are insteadcomputed by the remote device (e.g., the central server 12) to whichbaseline and reduced energy consumption measures are transmitted.

Stages 212-214 are unchanged from the same stages in the process 210.

At stage 268 the energy consumption module 29 determines a baselineenergy consumption measure or measures. Baseline consumption measurescan be determined for each of the AC loads or a single baselineconsumption measure can be determined for all the AC loads combined,depending on the embodiment. At stage 270, the network interface 25transmits the baseline energy consumption measure toward a remotedevice, e.g., the central server 12, that is connected to the network13. Stages 268 and 270 can be repeated on a periodic basis duringperiods when the power grid 16 is in a baseline condition.

Stage 216 is unchanged from the same stage in the process 210. At stage218, the power controller 27 determines whether or not to change whichloads are connected to receive power and how much. Stage 218 isunchanged from the same stage in the process 210 and the same methodsdiscussed above can be performed by the power controller 27.

If it is determined at the stage 218 that coupling and decoupling ofloads are not to be enacted, the process 260 continues back to stage 216to wait for the next power status message to be received. If apredetermined amount of time passes at stage 216 with no new powerstatus message being received, the process 260 continues from stage 216to stage 218 to again determine if changes are required or desired.

If it is determined at the stage 218 that coupling/decoupling of powerto the outputs are to be enacted, the process 260 continues to stage 220where the power controller 27 controls one or more of the switches 42-45to selectively couple and/or decouple the input power received from thegrid 16 to the outputs of the switching module 31. Stage 220 isunchanged from the same stage in the process 210 and the same methodsdiscussed above can be performed by the power controller 27.

At stage 272, the energy consumption module 29 determines a reducedenergy consumption measure based on the energy provided by the inputpower source to the loads. The same methods that were used to calculatethe baseline energy consumption measures at the stage 268 are used tocalculate the reduced energy consumption measure at the stage 272. Atstage 274, the network interface 25 transmits the reduced energyconsumption measure to the remote device, e.g., the central server 12,that is connected to the network 13.

Subsequent to transmitting the reduced energy consumption measure at thestage 274, the process 260 continues to stage 276. At stage 276, thepower controller 27 determines if the power grid status has returned toa baseline condition (e.g., the power status message received at stage216 indicated that previous power reduction actions were to becanceled). If so, the process 260 returns to stage 268 to computebaseline energy consumption. If it is determined at stage 276 that thepower grid is not in a baseline condition, the process 260 returns tostage 216 to receive another power status message. When the powerreduction system 20 utilizes the process 260, the central server 12computes the energy reduction measures based on the baseline energyconsumption measures transmitted at the stage 270 and based on thereduced energy consumption measures transmitted at the stage 274.Compensations are computed as discussed above in reference to FIG. 6,using historical baseline measures corresponding to similar time frames(e.g., similar time of day, week, month and/or year), where thehistorical baseline measures were previously transmitted to the centralserver by the same power reduction system 20.

Referring to FIG. 8 with reference to FIGS. 1-4, a process 410 performedby the central server 12 of FIG. 4 includes the stages shown. In theprocess 410, the central server 12 receives periodic indicia of energyconsumption from the power reduction devices such as was discussed abovein reference to FIG. 7. This is in contrast to the process 310 where thecentral server received indicia of energy reduction estimates that weredetermined by the individual power reduction systems 20.

At the stage 412, the network interface 106 receives indicia of baselineenergy consumption associated with multiple power reduction devices suchas power reduction controllers 24. The energy consumption measuresreceived at the stage 412 reflect power usage when none of the loads arecontrolled to be decoupled from the power grid. The baseline energyconsumption estimates are received periodically and stored in the memory104 in order to build a baseline energy consumption database. Thebaseline energy consumptions are categorized into time periods includingfractions of hours or hours of the day, days of the week, weeks ormonths of the year, etc. By storing a large time history of baselineenergy consumptions that span an entire year, the baseline energy usagescan reflect how energy consumption measures is affected by climate,seasonal activities, personal behavior characteristics, etc.

Past baseline energy consumption measures that are stored in memory canbe combined (e.g., by averaging, weighted averaging, time averaging,etc.) with newly received baseline measures corresponding to similartime periods. In this way, the baseline energy reduction measures can becloser to a statistical mean.

At stage 414, the power grid status module 108 determines if the statusof the power grid 16 has changed from the baseline state. The samemethods discussed above in reference to the stage 312 of the process 310can be used at the stage 414. If the power grid status has not changed,the process 410 returns to the stage 412. If it is determined at thestage 414 that the power grid status has changed, e.g., powerconsumption nearing capacity, power outages reducing system capacity,etc., the process 410 continues to stage 415. At stage 415, the powergrid status module determines if the changed power grid status warrantsaction in the form of requesting power reductions. The same methodsdiscussed above in reference to stage 313 can be used at the stage 415.If a negative determination results at stage 415, the process 410returns to stage 412. If a positive determination is made at stage 415,the process 410 continues to stage 416.

At stage 416, the power grid status module 108 transmits, via thenetwork interface 106, a power status message to at least two of thepower reduction devices. The power status message includes informationregarding the amount of power to reduce (percentages and/or absoluteamounts), types of devices to decouple, price rates and/or discountsthat can be earned based on the amount of energy reduction, or any ofthe information as discussed above in reference to power statusmessages.

At the stage 418, the network interface 106 receives indicia of reducedenergy consumption associated with each of the multiple power reductiondevices to which power status messages were transmitted at the stage416. The reduced energy consumption indicia received at the stage 418are determined by the power reduction systems 20 in the same way as thebaseline energy consumption indicia, but the reduced energy consumptionindicia will reflect reduced power usage since the power reductionsystems 20 are configured to decouple loads in response to the powerstatus message. The energy consumption indicia are received periodicallyfrom the power reduction systems 20 or in response to the central servertransmitting a message requesting a power reduction estimate.

At stage 420, the power reduction module 112 estimates individual energyreduction measures associated with the power reduction devices based on(1) the reduced energy consumption indicia received at the stage 418 and(2) the historical baseline energy consumption measures received at thestage 412 and stored in the memory 104. The power reduction module 112then determines an aggregate energy reduction estimate by adding theindividual energy reduction indicia that were received at the stage 418.The aggregate energy reduction estimate and the individual energyreduction indicia are stored to the memory 104 for use by the powersavings computation module 110 in calculating the aggregate andindividual compensations earned by the energy reduction.

At stages 422 and 424, the power savings compensation module 110determines the aggregate and individual compensations earned forproviding the energy reduction in response to the power status messages.The power compensation module 110 uses similar methods at the stages 422and 424 as discussed above in reference to the stages 320 and 322 of theprocess 310.

At stage 426, the power grid status module 108 determines if the statusof the power grid 16 has changed such that a new power status message iswarranted. If it is determined that the power grid status has notchanged, the process 410 returns to the stage 418 to receive additionalreduced energy consumption measures and proceed through stages 420-426as discussed above.

If it is determined, at the stage 426, that the power grid status haschanged, the process 410 continues to stage 428. At stage 428, if thenew power grid status is determined to be a baseline condition, theprocess 410 proceeds to stage 430. At stage 430, the power grid statusmodule 108 transmits a baseline power grid status message to all thepower reduction devices that had been transmitted the non-baseline powerstatus message at the stage 416. The process 410 then returns to thestage 412 to resume receiving baseline energy consumption indicia.

If the new power status is determined, at the stage 428, not to be abaseline condition, the process 410 returns to the stage 416 where a newpower status message containing new power reduction instructions istransmitted to power reduction systems 20. The new power status messageinstructions will depend on how the power grid status changed. If thestatus is a more severe condition, additional power reduction devicescan be requested to reduce power, or larger reductions in power can berequested. If the status is a less severe condition, some powerreduction devices can be instructed to cancel the power reductionactions, or smaller reductions in power can be requested. Other types ofinstructions, such as discussed above, can be included in the new powerstatus message transmitted at the stage 416. The process 410 proceedsthrough the remaining stages as discussed above.

It should be noted that the stages of the processes 210, 260, 310 and410 can be combined, rearranged, combined and, in some instancesomitted. These processes are examples and other processes are within thescope of the description and claims.

Further, more than one invention may be described herein.

1. A power reduction aggregation system for controlling and measuringpower usage at a plurality of individual user locations comprising: aplurality of power reduction controllers wherein each power reductioncontroller is disposed at one of the plurality of individual userlocations and each power reduction controller comprises a controllermodule configured to selectively control power to a plurality of loadsassociated with each of the individual user locations and an energyconsumption module coupled to the controller module and configured todetermine energy reduction indicia associated with at least one of theplurality of loads; and a power reduction module communicatively coupledto each of the plurality of power reduction controllers and configuredto determine an aggregate energy reduction estimate by combining theenergy reduction indicia determined by each of the plurality of powerreduction controllers wherein the power reduction aggregation systemcontrols and measures power usage at the plurality of individual userlocations.
 2. The power reduction aggregation system of claim 1 whereinthe plurality of power reduction controllers each further comprise: aswitching module, coupled to the energy consumption module and coupledto the controller module, comprising a plurality of switches configuredto couple a power input to the power reduction controller to theplurality of loads associated with each of the individual userlocations, wherein the controller module is further configured tocontrol the switches in the switching module to selectively couple ordecouple the input power to or from the plurality of loads and toprovide switch state information to the energy consumption module. 3.The power reduction aggregation system of claim 1 wherein the pluralityof power reduction controllers each further comprise: a first powerinput from a power utility remote from the plurality of individual userlocations, a second power input from a backup power supply local to eachof the individual user locations, and a switching module, coupled to theenergy consumption module and coupled to the controller module,comprising a plurality of switches configured to couple each of theplurality of loads to the first power input or to the second power inputand to decouple each of the plurality of loads from the first powerinput and from the second power input, wherein the controller module isfurther configured to control the switches in the switching module toselectively couple each of the plurality of loads to the first powerinput or to the second power input and to selectively decouple each ofthe plurality of loads from the first power input and from the secondpower input and to provide switch state information to the energyconsumption module.
 4. The power reduction aggregation system of claim 3wherein the energy reduction indicia are associated with loads coupledto the first power input.
 5. The power reduction aggregation system ofclaim 1 wherein the controller module is further configured toselectively decouple and recouple at least one of the plurality of loadsto a power input to the power reduction controller such that the atleast one of the plurality of loads runs at a reduced duty cycle.
 6. Thepower reduction aggregation system of claim 5 wherein factors comprisingtime of day and temperature determine a length of time for selectivelydecoupling the at least one of the plurality of loads from the powerinput to the power reduction controller.
 7. The power reductionaggregation system of claim 1 wherein the energy reduction indicia aremeasures of energy consumed by each of the plurality of loads associatedwith each of the individual user locations.
 8. The power reductionaggregation system of claim 1 wherein the energy reduction indicia areenergy reduction estimates for each of the plurality of loads associatedwith each of the individual user locations.
 9. The power reductionaggregation system of claim 1 wherein the energy reduction indicia areenergy consumption measures determined repeatedly at a plurality of timeintervals for each of the plurality of loads associated with each of theindividual user locations.
 10. A power reduction aggregation method forcontrolling and measuring power usage at a plurality of individual userlocations comprising: selectively controlling power to a plurality ofloads associated with each of the individual user locations; determiningenergy reduction indicia associated with at least one of the pluralityof loads wherein the selectively controlling power and the determiningenergy reduction indicia are by one of a plurality of power reductioncontrollers wherein each power reduction controller is disposed at oneof the plurality of individual user locations; and determining anaggregate energy reduction estimate by combining the energy reductionindicia determined by each of the plurality of power reductioncontrollers.
 11. The power reduction aggregation method of claim 10,further comprising selectively coupling or decoupling an input power toor from the plurality of loads associated with each of the individualuser locations by controlling switches coupled to the power reductioncontroller; and using switch state information to determine the energyreduction indicia.
 12. The power reduction aggregation method of claim10, further comprising: selectively coupling each of the plurality ofloads associated with each of the individual user locations to a firstpower input or to a second power input using switches coupled to thepower reduction controller wherein the first power input is from a powerutility remote from the plurality of individual user locations and thesecond power input is from a backup power supply local to each of theindividual user locations; selectively decoupling each of the pluralityof loads associated with the individual user location from the firstpower input and from the second power input using switches coupled tothe power reduction controller; and using switch state information todetermine the energy reduction indicia.
 13. The power reductionaggregation method of claim 12 wherein the energy reduction indicia areassociated with loads coupled to the first power input.
 14. The powerreduction aggregation method of claim 10 wherein selectively controllingpower to a plurality of loads associated with each of the individualuser locations further comprises selectively decoupling and recouplingat least one of the plurality of loads to a power input such that the atleast one of the plurality of loads runs at a reduced duty cycle. 15.The power reduction aggregation method of claim 14 wherein factorscomprising time of day and temperature determine a length of time fordecoupling the at least one of the plurality of loads from the powerinput.
 16. The power reduction aggregation method of claim 10 whereinthe energy reduction indicia comprise measures of energy consumed byeach of the plurality of loads associated with each of the individualuser locations, energy reduction estimates for each of the plurality ofloads associated with each of the individual user locations, and energyconsumption measures determined repeatedly at a plurality of timeintervals for each of the plurality of loads associated with each of theindividual user locations.
 17. A non-transitory computer readable mediumhaving stored thereon sequences of instructions for controlling andmeasuring power usage at a plurality of individual user locationsincluding instructions that will cause a processor to: selectivelycontrol power to a plurality of loads associated with the individualuser locations; determine energy reduction indicia for the plurality ofloads associated with each of the plurality of individual userlocations; and determine an aggregate energy reduction estimate bycombining the energy reduction indicia.
 18. The non-transitory computerreadable medium of claim 17 further including instructions that willcause the processor to: selectively couple or decouple an input power toor from the plurality of loads associated with each of the individualuser locations by controlling switches coupled to the processor; and useswitch state information to determine the energy reduction indicia. 19.The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17 furtherincluding instructions that will cause the processor to: selectivelycouple each of the plurality of loads associated with each of theindividual user locations to a first power input or to a second powerinput using switches coupled to the processor wherein the first powerinput is from a power utility remote from the plurality of individualuser locations and the second power input is from a backup power supplylocal to each of the individual user locations; and use switch stateinformation to determine the energy reduction indicia.
 20. Thenon-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17 further includinginstructions that will cause the processor to selectively decouple andrecouple at least one of the plurality of loads to a power input suchthat the at least one of the plurality of loads runs at a reduced cycle.